New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that Kelly Stang has been promoted to administrator of DEC’s Hunter Education Program. As administrator, Stang will oversee the hunter education program that is delivered through regional coordinators and 2,500 volunteer instructors that offer mandatory certification programs for new hunters, bow hunters, and trappers.

“I am excited to announce that we’ve appointed Kelly Stang, a proven leader and a career outdoor enthusiast, to oversee DEC’s Hunter Education Program,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Stang continues in the fine tradition of our hunter education coordinators, guiding a dedicated group of volunteers that donate their time to ensure outdoor sports in New York are conducted safely and ethically. She will be a strong addition to this vital program.”

Stang is a supervising wildlife biologist with DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife, and has a storied career that spans much of the past 35 years in service to New Yorkers. Prior to taking this position, her crowning achievement was leading the development and implementation of New York’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, which has introduced thousands of women and girls to outdoor adventures.

Stang has contributed to a variety of wildlife management efforts in New York, including the Big Game program, where she worked on deer management and deer damage. She played a significant role in nuisance wildlife issues, including developing the nuisance wildlife control manual, and feral hog management. She has also worked on steel shot, bobcats, otters, fisher reintroduction in the Catskills, and the freshwater wetlands program.

Stang has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, and a master’s degree in Education from SUNY Cortland. Stang lives in Albany County with her husband Doug and two sons.

Through the purchase of sporting licenses, arms and ammunition, and trip-related expenditures, New York’s nearly 600,000 licensed hunters contribute an estimated $1.5 billion to the state’s economy each year.